chelle

Belaying using a munter is a good idea from what I have learned particularly on alpine routes where if something goes wrong, there is one less step to starting a rescue. No need to escape the belay. The one downside is that is can create twist in the rope if the rope isn't fed through the biner well. The trick I learned is to feed the rope through with your hands spread wide.

Rodeo - A friend of mine who is a biochemist warned against Kennedy. Apparently it's this right temp to harbor all kinds of interesting bacteria. Your choice though. Just recommend monitoring your health for a few days after sitting in them. [ 10-26-2001: Message edited by: ehmmic ]

If the weather and snow conditions are good at Shasta you can get in several thousand feet of vertical descent depending on how high you want to climb with your skis. I've seen people carry them to just below the summit via the Avalanche Gulch route (Bunny Flat trailhead). From the top of Red Banks down to the cars you can descend some steep slopes and get almost 5,000' in one run back to the trailhead. I understand that the upper mountain tends to be pretty icy other than in the best conditions. December is a bit early in the season for a good snowpack. Particularly because of the really low snowfall last year. Check this link before heading out for the latest conditions update. http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/shastatrinity/mtshasta/The weather on Shasta can be really unpredictable. Like Rainier it generates its own weather. You can also check with the local mountaineering shop in town before heading up for the most recent beta. Have fun!

Hey Plexus - I've had the same experience. Now most times when I catch myself saying never I realize that it's something I'll have to try. This is my second year of leading trad climbs. I found a couple of good mentors to show me the ropes and evaluate my placements on lower grade climbs. When I wanted to push myself a little harder by climbing alpine routes and was concerned about my partner's ability to teach me away from the crags, I hired a guide for a weekend. I've seen some mixed opinions about hiring guides on this site, but if you're clear about what your goals are they will teach you whatever they can. I learned a lot of things that have come in handy. [ 10-26-2001: Message edited by: ehmmic ]

Cavey - thanks for the tip. I ran through the instructions and it was configured that way already. My company is still on IE 5.0 maybe that's the issue... Oh well, I'll just start using the go button, rather than back.

Hey Jon - I'm not a techie by any means so my question may be more of a browser issue than the upgrade you did last night. I used to use my "back" button to go back to the forums pages and now when I do that it pulls one up from several hours ago instead of the most updated one. Any ideas? I do like the new links to individual pages in posts. I was thinking how useful that would be just yesterday...

Sorry for the mix-up Dr. Jay. Murphy's was more of a group decision, just gave you the credit. Here's the info for anyone planning that far ahead:Murphy's Pub1928 N 45th StSeattle, WA 98103 For those who need a map or directions...http://www.mapquest.com/

After several of our lost brethern joined us around 7:30 last night we had another enjoyable evening of festivities. Uncle Tricky and a few lurkers of the female gender showed their faces. Thanks for joining us. We drank some fine brews and talked about climbing, new houses, best moving strategies, snow in the hills, and upcoming adventures. My apologies to those of you who ended up taking the full tour of pub options at Pike's Place looking for us. I hope your drinks at the Pike's Brewery on Union and 1st Ave were enjoyable. I'm glad you wandered in but I'm sure the infantry send off and wedding reception parites would have enjoyed your company as much as we did... At least we all had some laughs about the mix-up. Dr. Jay has nominated Murphy's in Wallingford for next week's gathering, in honor of his neighborhood. Dr. Jay -- what time did you say? See ya'll then!

EddieE and any other confused cc.comer... Tonight's Pub Club is at the Pike's Place Bar & Grill, 1st Ave and Pike. Next week's location is yet to be determined. If you want us to hang at your favorite pub, propose the location. Nov. 6th will be at the Issaquah Brew House at the suggestion of Captain Caveman himself.

Terminal - where did you hear this sad news? I can't find any references on several sites.

Have a blast!!!

Caveman & Mike A. - an eastside pub club would be great. This is a pretty informal thing so all you have to do is put a post out there suggesting the location. It sounds like for Nov. 6th there are three potentials mentioned: Issaquah, Bellevue and North Bend. Hopefully you can still join us tonight in Seattle. Otherwise we'll see you on the 6th. Unkle Tricky - we'll be the eclectic looking group in the bar taking up a couple of tables if enough people show. Hikerwa, David Parker, Hollyclimber, Jules where have you been??? Hopefully you can join us tonight too. :-) Cheers!

Any interest in a downtown Seattle pub club tomorrow? Pike's Place Bar & Grill 6:00 pm Pike Street and 1st Avenue

Just started reading John Adams by David McCullough. It's really well written and fills in the details about the dates I learned in history class.

Hey Lambone, I don't have any trouble thinking outside the box. Tangents in these threads are sometimes interesting. Completely unrelated spray to point out how someone's opinions about difficulty are wrong with your own opinion should branch off to a new thread in MHO. It's boring to the rest of us. Nice job Erwin with your tangent. What keeps me from my dreams? Right now -- time to climb more and get the skills I need and a full time job that keeps me on airplanes too much of the time. Good luck in Steamboat. I moved here in July for exactly the same reason.

Is this thread about the difficulty of ice climbing or about Matt's original question -- what do we dream of climbing? I personally dream of alpine climbing in Pakistan. Since so much of the lower rock/peak formations are unclimbed I don't have any particular objective in mind. I've got a lot to learn before it can become a reality. Not to mention that it's not a very safe place to be these days. Still dream about it though.

MysticNacho - I'll have to check out the Snow Leopard again. I couldn't get into it after about 60 pages and gave up...

I agree that it is important to make sure that our voices are heard. I believe that trying to leverage off of existing channels (Access Fund, AAC, other clubs, etc.) is a place to start. We can learn what they do to communicate with gov't agencies and also useful practices/processes they use for items that will be critical for a successful effort -- decision making, setting priorities, publicity, fund raising, etc. It sounds like there is a group of people who are interested in this topic, but we need to actually put something into action and get started if we're serious about trying to make a difference. Any interest in a face-to-face meeting to talk about how to get started?

In general I like to read non-fiction and stories about mountaineering adventures are my favorite. These are a few on my bookshelf I enjoyed. Arlene Blum's "Annapurna: A Woman's Place" is great. Anything by Joe Simpson, except his one attempt at fiction. My favorite is "Storms of Silence." "The Measure of a Mountain" is a good book to share with tentmates on Rainier. "Below Another Sky" by Rick Ridgeway was also a great recent read. Harry Potter books are an easy to read escape in the tent after a hard day. [This message has been edited by ehmmic (edited 10-17-2001).]

Okay Dwayner, how do we get there?

Looks like Mr. Potato Head has sparked a traveling toy movement...

Happy to report another fun pub club gathering last night. For those of you who didn't make it to the 74th Street Ale House, we talked about climbing, drank some beer, checked out Chris-w's photos from recent climbing trips, and drank some more beer. For those who made it, thanks for paying up your tabs this week before taking off. Lizard Brain - good to meet you in person. Also Dr. Jay thanks for making amends for last week. See ya'll next week! Who's hosting?

This is a great thread. Thanks for putting it out there Terminal. David, you are so right. For me it is about the community and time in the mountains with people who also love being there and don't question the risk/reward. The simplicity of just focusing on getting up a beautiful route in good style, regardless of the grade. Unfortunately I think our nature in general is to assign people (and ourslevels) to categories or stereotypes to make order out of everything around us. My personal goal is to someday be able to lead climb solidly in the 5.10 range so I can climb pretty much anywhere in the world. Not sure if I can attain this, but I'm having fun trying to get there. I am absolutely stoked that I can safely lead 5.6/7 routes now and I learn something everytime I follow on a harder route. Honestly I'm also happy about pushing myself in the gym to climb the 5.10d's because I'm getting stronger and improving my technique. And most importantly having fun climbing with friends during the week. About the mags... I haven't had much interest in reading them since I moved up here in July and actually started getting out in the mountains more. I'd rather climb than read about others climbing routes that I don't even aspire to try. That's my 1.5 cents.

Hey Geordie, I thought you looked familiar on Sunday at the Marblemount ranger station. Thanks for the recommendation on the hike up to Hidden Lakes Lookout. It was great to hike in the snow. Michelle

I experienced fresh snow flakes yesterday afternoon while hiking up near Cascade Pass. It wasn't sticking much but it was great to see snow this early!!!